Crown Motel
Kings Beach, CA
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Check out this neon crown. This stand out sign for the Crown Motel located in Kings Beach, CA. Perched along North Lake Boulevard on State Route 28, this classic lakeside motor court has welcomed North Lake Tahoe vacationers since opening its doors in 1957.

Historically known to generations of travelers as Ferrari's Crown Motel, the 70-room property occupies a prime lakefront stretch boasting one of the finest private sandy beaches on the North Shore. The resort recently underwent a comprehensive multi-year renovation to modernize its guest rooms and outdoor grounds with fire pits and recreational spaces, all while keeping its authentic mid-century chalet charm intact. Best of all, the motel's signature roadside marquee still commands the boulevard, proudly sporting its vibrant three-dimensional glowing neon crown to light the way for evening travelers cruising around the lake.

UPDATE: The Crown Motel remains open along North Lake Boulevard in Kings Beach, with its iconic vintage neon crown marquee still surviving intact and glowing brightly along the North Shore. 09-26

Gold Trail Motor Lodge
Placerville, CA
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

The Gold Trail Motor Lodge features a large horse icon above its marquee. How descriptive? Thank you. The Gold Trail is located in the Northern California town of Placerville, also home to the Hangtown Motel. Sitting along Broadway on the historic route of old U.S. 50, this roadside motor court opened during the 1960s post-war travel boom.

Featuring around thirty drive-up rooms arranged in a traditional layout, the property pays homage to the local Gold Country heritage. Its standout feature is the roadside marquee, crowned by a large horse silhouette mounted right over the main cabinet. While the property has modernized its accommodations over the years, the classic court remains open for business, keeping its signature horse sign standing tall out front.

UPDATE: The Gold Trail Motor Lodge remains open along Broadway in Placerville, with its vintage roadside marquee and iconic rooftop horse figure still surviving on-site. 09-26

Pepperwood Motel (Rem.)
Willits, CA
Photo courtesy Devil Doll

Check out the neon sight outside of the Pepperwood Motel. Check out the arrows as they point the way into the motel lot and office. Located along South Main Street on the old route of U.S. 101, this classic roadside court caught travelers passing through Willits.

During the 1960s and 1970s, the motel was famously known for the historic Indian Marker Tree on its grounds. Out front, its mid-century marquee featured curved neon arrows pointing motorists directly into the driveway. While the motel still welcomes guests today under the name Redwood Inn, its classic neon sign was unfortunately removed and replaced with a flat plastic box.

UPDATE: The property remains open along South Main Street in Willits operating as the Redwood Inn, though its vintage neon marquee with directional arrows has been removed and replaced with a plastic sign. 09-26

Silver Maple Motel
Bridgeport, CA
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

The letters from the Silver Maple Motel sign glow as dusk begins to settle in the town of Bridgeport. Sitting right along Main Street, this welcoming roadside lodge sits squarely on U.S. 395, catching high-desert travelers as they cross through Mono County against the backdrop of the Eastern Sierra. 09-08

Dating back to the 1930s, this classic single-story motor court has offered weary motorists a quiet resting spot for nearly a century. With its compact rooms set around a tree-shaded garden courtyard with picnic tables and barbecues, it serves as a seasonal retreat for road-trippers and trout fishermen heading to the nearby lakes and mountain passes. Over the years, the property transitioned to the Silver Maple Inn, but the owners have kept its vintage charm intact—including that vibrant multi-colored neon sign, which still lights up the evening sky along the highway.

UPDATE: The property remains open seasonally along Main Street operating as the Silver Maple Inn, with its restored vintage neon marquee still lighting up Bridgeport at dusk. 09-26

El View Lodge (Closed)
Santa Cruz, CA
Photo courtesy Devil Doll

The El View Lodge still features a well-worn but still lit-up neon sign. The El View is located in the coastal town of Santa Cruz, sitting up on Beach Hill along 3rd Street, just a short walk away from the world-famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

Built in 1956 during the height of the post-war seaside tourism boom, this 22-unit motor court gave beachgoers and travelers a cozy spot to stay right above the water. The real prize for roadside fans is its sign a rare three-sided triangular neon marquee mounted out front to catch traffic approaching from any direction on the hill. Although the vintage lodge eventually closed down and has sat vacant awaiting site improvements, its unique weathered sign continues to cling to the property line.

UPDATE: The El View Lodge remains closed and vacant along 3rd Street on Beach Hill, though its distinctive three-sided vintage roadside sign still survives on-site. 09-26